Not a Coincidence

Chapter 26: Give it a try

     Tawi-Tawi isn't a reality. It is a dream you desire to not end and wake up from.

     One week of stay here was already enough for me to tie my heart around this place. Luntian na kabundukan, matatayog na mga puno, malalawak na bukirin, malinis at tila kristal na kulay ng dagat...hindi ko na alam kung paano ko pa ito ilalarawan.

     It's a hidden paradise.

     The residents are very accommodating and cooperative, to the extent you won't feel being an outcast, or that you didn't belong here in the first place.

     This place also feels like home...it feels like good things come to those who visit here.

     I twisted my left shoulder to shrug the numbness. We've been formally checking up kids for days now. Just a week and we've already visited 3 communities from the lowland. The main aim of this mission is to reach out to the most remote areas - of which can be attained when we consider visiting the Badjao communities.

     Nakakapanlumo nga lang na makita ang kalagayan ng ibang komunidad. Halos walang sapat na impluwensya ng medisina o oportunidad ang mga tao para sa kanilang karapatang medikal.

     Surely, it's the reason why we're here.

     To provide what's lacking. To suffice their needs. And for the love of God, we're doing it for free. Not because we are able to render free service brought by our luxuries, but because that's how it really should be.

     I swiped the sweat off my temple using the back of my hand. We've been moving from places to places and since we're bringing medical equipments, we have no choice but to help as well in carrying them.

     Nandirito kami ngayon sa isang plaza ng isang barangay at katatapos lamang naming mag-check up ng mga bata. We're just wrapping everything up before we go to the next stop.

     Nahagilap ng aking mata ang ilang mga tauhan na tumutulong sa pagbubuhat ng mga kahon. It's almost 1 in the afternoon and we have to move quickly kung ayaw naming maabutan ng dilim.

     "Doctora, kami na po dito," one of them approached me. "Magpahinga po muna kayo."

     I could take the opportunity to rest pero kung gugustuhin ko rin na matapos agad, dapat na rin akong tumulong. "Ayos lang," I smiled.

     "Ma'am sige na po..." he scratched his head, as if he's hesitating to tell me something. "Bilin po ni Sir Juan, Ma'am. Lalo na't hindi pa raw po gaanong magaling ang paa ninyo."

     Napabuntong hininga ako at sa huli'y sumuko na lamang. I paced my way towards a bench. Abala ang lahat at ang iba'y nagpapahinga rin sa gilid kaya hindi naman gaanong pansin kung na saan ako.

      When I finally sat down, I stretched both of my legs which made me hitch due to my left foot's pain. I suddenly remembered that memory from last week. Maraming bumagabag sa isipan ko simula ng araw na iyon but I never got answers.

     That's because I never asked.

     All I remember was that he called me by the endearment we both shared years ago and that he's never going to let me slip away from his hold again.

      It felt surreal hearing those words from him, but it brought up a lot of confusion. It was an avalance of satisfaction, momentarily however, and an aftermath of bafflement.

     Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin? Bakit kailangan niyang sabihin sa akin iyon?

     I thought he's marrying someone already? More so the possibility of marrying Dawn. Wasn't it inappropriate to tell me?